The first round of the 2024 VFL and VFLW seasons have today been confirmed, with VU Whitten Oval to play host to two matches.
The VFLW Bulldogs will open their campaign with a home match against North Melbourne on Saturday 23 March from 12.05pm, while the Footscray Bulldogs are set to take on GWS on Sunday 24 March from 12.05pm.
The 2024 Smithy’s VFL campaign will feature the same 21 teams from Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland who competed across the past two seasons. The home-and-away season will consist of 21 rounds, with every team to play 18 matches.
All 12 teams who took part in the VFLW last year will again feature in the 2024 VFLW season, which will again comprise 14 rounds.
The remaining rounds of both competitions will be confirmed in the coming days.
Smithy’s VFL Round 1, 2024
Sunday 24 March
Footscray Bulldogs vs. GWS GIANTS,
Whitten Oval, 12:05 PM
VFLW Round 1, 2024
Saturday 23 March
Western Bulldogs vs. North Melbourne
Whitten Oval, 12:05 PM
(all times local)
Other VFL/W information
Swans and GIANTS to compete in part of the VFLW season
In a change to the VFLW fixture for season 2024, the Sydney Swans and GWS GIANTS will compete in part of the season, with each New South Wales-based club to play five matches against VFLW clubs from Rounds 3-7 of the home-and-away season. These matches will be played for premiership points for the competing VFLW clubs.
Details of matches involving the Swans and the GIANTS will be confirmed when the full VFLW fixture is released.
VFL-SANFL rivalry to return in 2024
The fierce rivalry between the VFL and SANFL will resume in 2024 with a men's representative match to be played in Adelaide during the AFL Gather Round weekend, which is set for April 4-7. The best VFL-listed players from the 21-team competition will be selected to represent the ‘Big V’ in the VFL’s first representative match in seven years. More details about venue and match time will be confirmed soon.
Broadcast and streaming
All matches in the 2024 Smithy’s VFL and VFLW seasons will be live streamed free via the AFL website, AFL Live Official App and VFL App. Smithy’s VFL broadcast partner, the Seven Network, will broadcast select matches live and free on the Seven Network in Victoria and on 7plus nationally.
Live scoring and stats
Live scoring and stats will be available via both the AFL Live Official App and VFL App.
Ticketing
Where Smithy’s VFL matches are ticketed, entry is $10 for adults, $5 for concession holders and kids under 15 are free. Some venues don't charge for entry. AFL ticketing prices apply for VFL matches played as curtain-raisers and curtain-closers to AFL matches.
Entry to VFLW matches is free. Where venues host VFL and VFLW double-headers, entry fees will apply after half time of the VFLW match if played first.
